Canadian multi-instrumentalist, singer, songwriter and producer Devin Townsend‘s DEVIN TOWNSEND PROJECT has revealed a very special lyric video for the track “Deathray” taken from the DARK MATTERS half of their forthcoming album Z², which is due for release on October 27 worldwide, on Inside Out Music. That video can be viewed below. “Z²” is a double album, where the first CD is called “Sky Blue” and the second one is a ‘Ziltoid’ album called “Dark Matters”.

According to Bravewords.com, Next year’s Wacken Open Air festival will take place in Wacken, Germany from July 31st – August 2nd, 2014. At the Hamburg Metal Dayz the promoters of Wacken Open Air announced new bands for the 25th edition of the festival. A total of 13 bands were confirmed for the big anniversary in 2014.

YNGWIE MALMSTEEN, ANGRA, MOKOMA and LOST SOCIETY are the latest acts confirmed for Japan’s Loud Park 2013 which runs on Saturday, October 19th and Sunday, October 20th in Saitama City at the Saitama Super Arena.

The DEVIN TOWNSEND PROJECT and MESHUGGAH have announced a co-headline show with support from PERIPHERY, at the 02 Brixton Academy in London, England on May 3rd.

Devin had this to say about the not-to-be-missed show: ‘Well this is an intense turn of events… it’s no secret how much love and respect I have for Meshuggah. They are an anomaly in life, let alone in music, as being a perfectly developed entity that only evolves as a result of there being nothing but honesty in their vision. If you have not experienced Meshuggah live, I truly believe you have not witnessed the elite that this genre has to offer, and to be playing alongside of them again is an honour that I don’t take lightly.

Periphery are a band and a musical entity as well in which I cannot say enough good things about. The potential that band of humans demonstrates together is truly unlimited, and they have a perspective on music that very few folks do, unlimited scope and astounding musicianship. Their new record is beautiful and the people in the band are a constant source of inspiration to me.

To be allowed to participate in this bill is humbling beyond all explanation, and the Brixton Academy is a historic venue that has been on my ‘bucket-list’ to play. By being the best version of myself that I can be we hope to do this show the justice it deserves. An honour and a privilege. We hope to see you there, and the three bands will do you proud. Peace. Devin.”

Tickets officially go on sale February 1st, and pre-sale from January 31st priced at £28.50 (subject to booking fee) at Livenation.co.uk or Ticketmaster.co.uk.

The Age Of Metal spoke with Devin Townsend on January 28th, hours prior his show in Tempe, AZ. He talked about his tour with GOJIRA, the state of his other projects, Epicloud, NAMM and his inspiration at the time to write music. Watch the video interview below:

The Devin Townsend Project is currently touring North America with Gojira and THE ATLAS MOTH in support of their latest effort, Epicloud, which features the hit single, ‘Lucky Animals’ (video below). Epicloud can be purchased at iTunes or CM Distro.

GOJIRA‘s fifth album, “L’Enfant Sauvage”, sold almost 11,000 copies in the United States in its first week of release to debut at position No. 34 on The Billboard 200 chart. The band’s previous CD, “The Way Of All Flesh”, opened with 4,200 units back in 2008 to land at No. 138.

“L’Enfant Sauvage” entered the official chart in France at position No. 7 (No. 17 on the digital chart).

“L’Enfant Sauvage” (which translates to “The Wild Child”) features 11 tracks of mind-bending, thunderous metal. The CD was recorded at Spin Recording Studios in Long Island City, New York with co-producer Josh Wilbur (LAMB OF GOD).

“Epicloud”, the latest album from Devin Townsend to be released under the DEVIN TOWNSEND PROJECT banner, was issued on September 18 in North America and September 24 in Europe via InsideOut Music. The CD features a guest appearance by former THE GATHERING frontwoman and previous Devin collaborator Anneke Van Giersbergen.

“Epicloud” is available in the following formats: standard CD jewel case; limited-edition digipack with bonus CD; double vinyl gatefold with an exclusive bonus track; and digital download on iTunes with two exclusive bonus tracks, “Cry Forever” (demo) and “Take My Ego” (demo).